1996 Pontiac Bonneville electrical system problems

The 1996 Pontiac Bonneville has 21 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

Electrical System complaints

12%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Bonneville electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

95V204000Electrical SystemOctober 23, 1995 · 32,869 units

Defect

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE SUCCEEDING IN STARTING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND OXYGEN SENSOR. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAP WAS MELTING AND CAUSING…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2009 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville have?

NHTSA has 21 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville electrical system — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 95V204000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.